Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy protects and restores exceptional places to provide our region with clean waters and healthy forests, wildlife and natural areas for the benefit of present and future generations. The Conservancy creates green spaces and gardens, contributing to the vitality of our cities and towns, and preserves Fallingwater, a symbol of people living in harmony with nature.

If you enjoy the outdoors and live in Western or Central Pennsylvania, you've probably experienced exceptional places that the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has protected and restored.

Founded in 1932, the Conservancy has helped to establish ten state parks, including Ohiopyle, Moraine State Park and McConnells Mill, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy also owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, with the help of about 12,000 volunteers, WPC enriches our region's cities and towns with 130 community gardens, most of which are in the Pittsburgh area. The Conservancy also provides hundreds of colorful flower baskets and planters throughout downtown Pittsburgh and has planted more than 30,000 trees in Pittsburgh's parks and neighborhoods, along with other communities.

We hope you will join more than 10,000 people who share our vision for a healthy and vibrant region and become a member today through your Day of Giving donation.

Testimonials

Steve and Kathi Guinn's Story

Like many supporters of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, a trip to Fallingwater introduced Steve and Kathi Guinn to the Conservancy's work.

During a tour of Fallingwater more than 30 years ago, Steve and Kathi came to appreciate the balance that WPC takes in preserving it as an architectural treasure that the public can enjoy - while ensuring that the 167,000 visitors that experience it each year do not cause irreparable damage to the house. As they became more aware of WPC's other efforts, they grew to love those programs too.

As they explained, "We think Western Pennsylvania is beautiful country and we would like it to remain that way for future generations. To be credible and effective, conservation must be based on solid science. Effective conservation is not 'doing nothing to the land;' it entails being proactive to protect the land - such as working with farmers to limit damage to the land and water sources with simple solutions like setting up alternate watering holes that keep cows out of streams. The icing on the cake is the beautiful gardens and greenspaces that WPC creates in our urban areas."

For all these reasons, Steve joined the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's board of directors in 2008. Through Steve and Kathi's leadership and generosity, they are inspiring others to get more acquainted with the Conservancy's work.